The Atlanta Braves will send Max Fried to the mound in Game 2 of the World Series to oppose the Houston Astros — the majors’ top offense in terms of runs per game.
The Astros have the only offense in MLB that stuck out on fewer than 20 percent of at-bats this season, and they entered the World Series having scored at least five runs in 12 of their 13 games this month.
Fried has been almost as dominant on the pitching end, as the Braves are 12-2 in his starts since the start of August with a 1.89 ERA in that span. He has surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 14 of his last 15 starts.
The Astros counter with Jose Urquidy, who has made just one start this postseason with six runs, five of which were earned, allowed in 1 ²/₃ innings in the team’s 12-3 loss in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.
Shutting down the Astros is not an easy task, but the Braves are one of just four teams that averaged more than 1.5 home runs per game on the road this regular season. They should spot Fried a lead which he will protect to give Atlanta momentum in the series.
The play: Braves, -105.